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Santa Claus came to Canada 130 years ago Our plump, cheerful, bearded Santa Claus was known by a few Canadian settlers to make his midnight rounds in the 1850s, but this modern-day philanthropist was first popularized by the drawings of an American - Thomas Nast, in the 1860s. However, Santa's' generosity was somewhat limited, back then, to stuffing Christmas stockings. Christmas presents didn't play such a decisive role in the celebrations as they do now, for only a few gifts were exchanged between relatives and close friends but, unlike today, also on New Year's. Unless the presents were specifically intended to be a surprise, they were handed over without gift wrapping. Books were especially popular back then as -Christ, and The Arabian Nights. presents. From advertisements, the best sellers' list carried the Family Bible, Poets of the Nineteenth Century, Fleetwood's Life of The custom of decorating a Christmas tree was imported into Canada by Germans and Pennsylvania Germans. Their decorated tree in the 1850s could display oranges, fruit drops in the shape of the respective fruit, cookies, toys and strings. of popcorn. The Christmas tree became fashionable in England only after the London Illustrated News published in 1848 a picture of Queen Victoria and her family viewing their Christmas tree at Windsor Palace. This tradition then became popular with British settlers in Canada. Bandage One on the job Keating revisited at the Garrison Rewenibes 'he true meaning of Christmas. indusmin limited Kappy Nolidey From our house to yours go all the best wishes is of the Christmas season. Peace, Love. Merriment. Tom & Goldie Crowe and family CROWE'S DANCE HALL Orr Lake 322-1664 | RENDEZVOUS Merry and contentment, se Christmas |, °F * ° Ses] The season's all aglow with warmth Fy. ul Here's hoping » that you will enjoy it to the fullest. | Mili! Simcoe District ox : ~ New Year's Day. < : if ~~ Restaurant & Motel Chinese and Canadian Cuisine Not everyone will be home this Christmas with family and friends. Some will be on duty and others will be on call including pilot and crew members of Bandage One, Ministry of Health's helicopter ambulance which made a quick visit to Midland last week to pick up a patient for a race against time back to a Toronto hospital. Reynolds Electric Wyevale TRENTWAY ESCORTED MOTORCOACH TOURS SINCE 1965 FIRST CLASS! All the Way CALUFORNIA 23 DAYS DEPART - JAN. 3: FEB. 14, 28, MAR. 14, 28, APRIL 11/81 $1115.00 Per PERSON ste TEXAS 21 DAYS Fes.7, a a MAR. 21/81 $895.00 Per PERSON TWIN FLORIDA 14DAYS ORLANDO MIAMI BEACH -- ORMOND BEACH DEPART - FEB. 2, 9, 16, 23, MAR. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30/81 $640.00 rer PERSON TWIN 12 DAYS ORLANDO ORMOND BEACH (DAYTONA BEACH) DEPART FEB. 2, 9, 16, 23, MAR. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30/81 $515.00 PER PERSON TWIN ' MARCH BREAK ORLANDO 9DAYS weet 380.00 PER PERSON TWIN ; ORMOND BEACH 10 pays {DAYTONA BEACH) DEPART MAR. 20/81 375.00 PER PERSON TWIN: #(EVENING DEPARTURE NIGHT TRAVEL). ~ STILL LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE ON ORMOND bib EFFICIENGY ere Al Cie We're ringing out how gladeweare to -- hh have you as our friends and we extend 2 2 ¥o\ our sincere good wishes tayou and xe} ; your family. It's been a pleasure serving you. = 3 HARRY HOLIDAYS Winter Hours----------_ MU f Sires to Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. thursday, Friday & Saturdav: 11:36 a.m. to 1 a.m. me il i) 1; of ° fl ; = vs N For take out Go-opy' ae es service call 322-3011 las A 4 ay a le,onHwy.92 ( °F jj Services : peice v oe: A es Seat * JE", 8th Concession Flos -- 322-3041 (Elmvale) | oW Jao (-F LE) oe 1° iE - 259 Innisfil St., Barrie -- 726-6531 eet PI EY Ss [RES OOS Five oath 1 tad 8 if Cr 1 iff OM, > ° 9 a = aa ie} = Zz Gj ° a GAA = ox "Travel is our uae bye? vtsom 527 Bay St, 12 Queen St, Midland 526-7848 Elmvate 322:#505 "TRAVEL GK- JOHNSON FRE 247 King St. 526-4201... MIDLAND --~ ATKINSON OX TRAVEL: 225 339 King St, Midla 526.3713 Monday, December 22, 1980, Page 21